America's Got Talent: Season 5 - Semifinals Part 1

Last week's results show recap:

• Kruti Dance Academy, Michael Grasso, Swing Shift Side Show & Rudy Macaggi are up first to face the results:
• Michael Grasso - Advancing to Semifinals [Prediction: 1/1]
• Kruti Dance Academy - Eliminated
• Swing Shift Side Show - Eliminated
• Rudy Macaggi - Eliminated
• Criss Angel performs two illusions: Upside-down Straightjacket, Metamorphosis
• Hot Shot Tap Dancers, RNG, & Anna and Patryk are up next:
• Anna and Patryk - Advancing to Semifinals [2/2]
• Hot Shot Tap Dancers - Eliminated
• RNG - Eliminated
• CJ Dippa and Connor Doran are up next:
• Connor Doran - Advancing to Semifinals [3/3]
• CJ Dippa - Eliminated
• LeAnn Rimes performs "Swingin'"
• Doogie Horner, Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon, & Harmonica Pierre are the final three acts:
• Doogie Horner - Eliminated
• Judge's Choice:
• Piers - Harmonica Pierre
• Sharon - Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon
• Howie - Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon
• Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon - Advancing to Semifinals [4/4]
• Harmonica Pierre - Eliminated
• My Predictions: I got all my predictions correct this week!

America's Got Talent Season 5: Semifinals Part 1

Airdate: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 [9-11pm]

1. Anna and Patryk [Ballroom Dancers]: I don't think there is anything new to say about this act because they are two of the best this year. And like Piers said, the best dancers on the show right now.
2. Christina & Ali [Singers; performed "When You Believe"]: In the quarterfinals, I was disappointed by their performance, but still glad they made it through (because it's hard not to root for them). This time was not their best either. There were definitely some great moments. But there were times that their voices were not perfect together, and during one of the younger one's solo parts, her voice was shaky. So it's hard to tell what their chances are at this point in the show.
3. Antonio Restivo [Illusionist]: He should not have advanced to this round and this illusion proved why. I was bored from start to finish. When he went into that box/coffin (or whatever it was), we waited for the longest time to see him appear on the stairs that it was so obvious that during that long time he left the box. When you are going to disappear from a box, it needs to happen pretty fast to maintain the illusion or else it's obvious it's fake.
4. Future Funk [5-year-old dancers]: Out of every act, it is Future Funk that was most undeserving of getting this far. You need to forget their young age and how adorable they are, because this is a talent show. And when it comes to talent, they are mediocre at best. The dance moves were so simple that the whole performance was pointless.
5. Taylor Mathews [Singer; performed "Show Me What I'm Looking For"]: This is the third act in a row that shouldn't be here. There was nothing in this performance that screamed "million dollar act." It was just very neutral with some weak vocals at times and no standout moments.
6. Connor Doran [Kite Flyer]: For the first time, I was not that impressed with his performance, because it felt like we have seen it from him before. And I agree with Piers that when it comes to his act, song choice is critical with him, because it fits the inspirational song he usually chooses. But it just didn't fit right with Owl City's "Fireflies."
7. Dan Sperry [Magician]: Last time, people either loved him or hated him, and I knew that this time would be make-it or break-it for him. And unfortunately, it was a pointless trick. He took too long to get to the climactic finish. And once it was over, I thought "Did he even do a trick?" But Piers mentioned that the object he held to the camera at one point was supposed to be part of Nick Cannon's arm. But it says something if I couldn't even distinguish that.
8. Kristina Young [Singer; performed Lady Gaga's "Poker Face"]: During the YouTube show, song choice almost got her sent home. And once again, she chose completely the wrong song. If you are going to choose a Lady Gaga song, you have to be great, because both Lady Gaga and "Poker Face" are brilliant. At times, her voice was shaky and pitchy. I don't know what she thought she was going to accomplish with that song. It kind of stunned me at first that all three judges X'd her, when they let some pretty stupid acts (Doogie Horner, etc) get their entire time.
9. ArcAttack [Electricity Band]: After seeing them for a second time now, it doesn't feel new and fresh anymore. I saw this already, with their previous performance. And I didn't get the point of the lady in the cage that was writhing as if she was being electrocuted; it's obvious she's not (And when the judges were talking, that lady moved around, still acting like she was electrocuted. It was so stupid). And I take issue with that fact that they have to have a custom build stage/studio in order to perform. They shouldn't get preferential treatment. If they can't perform within the confines of the regular AGT stage/studio, then they shouldn't be here at all.
10. Michael Grimm [Singer; performed "You Can Leave Your Hat On"]: Based on his quarterfinal performance, he had the best voice in the competition (until Jackie Evancho hit the stage, that is). And even though, this time, he was ill, had to go to the doctor, and had less time to rehearse, he did a great job. Even though the song wasn't one that would warrant a complete winning performance, he came out, gave it his all, and showed why he does have one of the best voices in the competition this year.
11. AscenDance [Wall-climbing Dancers]: Like Connor's act, song choice is important here, because it sets the mood for the movements. But I was bored this time. With the right song and movements, it can be beautiful, moving and inspirational, but I didn't see or feel that this time. Because it was the wrong song, their movements felt disjointed, and because of that, I didn't see anything exciting, unfortunately.
12. Prince Poppycock [Opera Singer; performed Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"]: I love that he chose "Bohemian Rhapsody," because it is a great song but not one we would expect from him. At times, the song did limit him from really belting out, but he made up for it with the theatrics and personality. After some really dud acts tonight, we ended the night on a high.

Favorite Performances: Anna and Patryk / Prince Poppycock / Michael Grimm

My Votes: Anna and Patryk [10 votes by phone] / Prince Poppycock [10 votes online]

Predictions to Advance: Anna and Patryk / Christina & Ali / ArcAttack / Michael Grimm / Prince Poppycock

My Season 5 Vote Tracker:

Fighting Gravity: 20 votes

Harmonica Pierre: 20 votes [Eliminated]

Jackie Evancho: 20 votes

Anna and Patryk: 20 votes

Prince Poppycock: 20 votes

Michael Grimm: 10 votes

Alice Tan Ridley: 10 votes

Murray: 10 votes

Michael Grasso: 10 votes

Total: 140 votes cast so far

There are only two acts that are guaranteed to advance to the Top 10, based on the audience/judges reactions and the online reactions: Michael Grasso and Prince Poppycock. I also am predicting Anna and Patryk because they were great as usual, but performing first may hurt their chances. I also believe ArcAttack will advance as well, since everyone seems to love them (myself not included). But the final spot is a little tricky here. It could be any number of acts: Christian & Ali, Antonio Restivo, Future Funk, Connor Doran, or AscenDance. Even though I am ultimately going with Christina & Ali, I have absolutely no idea who out of that group might make it, so it seems to be a toss-up. Since there are five spots open this week for the Top 10 instead of the usual four, it makes it a little harder, since there were many weak acts this week.

Tonight, five of this week's semifinal acts will advance into the Top 10. And the guest stars for this week's results show will be Late Night host and 2010 Emmy Awards host Jimmy Fallon, former AGT act Recycled Percussion, and singer Kylie Minogue. See ya then...